3 ECTS credits
80 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4009220DNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.
Geographic information technology has vast potential for solving complex environmental and human management problems. Over the last 15 years geographical information systems (GIS) have evolved from research instruments to widely-used tools for environmental decision support, and interest in GI-technology continues to grow. In the course "Introduction to GIS" the most important principles of geographical information science are described. The course includes a review of commonly used models for representing and storing spatial information and discusses basic techniques for the analysis of spatial data. The theoretical part of the course is supplemented by five practical training sessions. Students need to demonstrate their capability to apply the acquired techniques in the context of a practical case study, using standard GIS software.
1. Introduction
a. What is GIS?
b. Spatial and non-spatial data
c. Spatial data models: field approach, object approach, model transformations
d. Digital representation of a spatial data model: raster and vector models, TIN-model
2. Spatial reference systems
a. Definition of a location on the Earth's surface
b. Definition of a cartographic reference system
c. Large-scale reference systems
d. Coordinate transformation
3. Spatial analysis in raster GIS
a. Origins
b. Spatial operations: local, focal and zonal operations
c. Cartographic modeling
d. Multi-criteria decision making
e. Advantages and disadvantages of cartographic modeling
4. Spatial analysis in vector GIS
a. Introduction: the object-relational data model
b. Basic principles of relational data management
c. Querying of attribute data
d. OpenGIS Simple Features specification
e. Spatial operations: spatial querying, topological operations
Nothing to be specified
After successful completion of the course the student should:
- have knowledge of different spatial data models and how these models are implemented in GIS software;
- have a proper understanding of how raster GIS and vector GIS software is used for spatial problem solving;
- master the concept of map algebra and how this concept is applied for multi-criteria analysis;
- be able to define an entity-relationship model for structuring a database and to translate the E-R model into a relational data model;
- be able to define a flowchart for solving a particular spatial problem, making use of available GIS functions;
- have developed the practical skills to perform spatial analysis using raster or vector GIS software.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
SELF Practical Assignment determines 50% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the SELF Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
In order to pass for this course students should obtain a score of minimum 8/20 on both the theoretical and the practical part of the evaluation. When the score is below 8/20 for either the theory part or the practical part, the total score for the course will be set equal to the lowest score of both partial evaluations.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Geography: Standard track
Master of Urban Studies: Standard track
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Track 1 (Bachelor via SCH of VRB) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Track 2 (Master indirect) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Track 3 (Bachelor of Master direct) (only offered in Dutch)